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10 Reasons to Turn Off the TV Today
TV is a most enjoyable past-time, it is true, but like any other activity, it cannot be allowed to dominate one's life. This is especially true when raising families. The time parents have to spend with their children, and impart everything they know, is limited. Where once families spent part of every day together - at the dinner table, playing games in the backyard, in the living room listening to the radio, watching TV or talking- today families are more likely to be scattered over the house doing individual activities.
Here are 10 ways in which turning off the TV more often will benefit your family.
1. Rediscover the art of conversation!
Our children today aren't getting enough practice in the art of conversation - and it is an art! The ability to listen to what others have to say, respond appropriately and expressing yourself articulately, doesn't come easily to most people. The best way to give our children these skills is to give them the opportunity to practise. Ask them hypothetical questions like 'what would you do if you had a million dollars?' or 'what rules will you make when you are a mum?' (my kids love that one!). A person who is a good conversationalist has a skill which will be of great benefit to them throughout their life.
2. Become a more balanced person.
It allows you and your children time to develop other interests. TV is fun but it is as addictive as chocolate or coke. If you don't limit yourself to a set amount, you could easily find you have spent all evening - or even all day - in front of it. I know that on our family 'lazy days', when I let the kids do whatever they want, they will spend all day in front of the TV! This is time they could be discovering what talents or interests they have, reading books, playing with friends or going outside to enjoy some outdoor activities. That won't happen as long as the hypnotic presence of the TV is before them.
3. Give your children an opportunity to develop a love of reading.
This is such a great habit for children to develop but many don't ever get that opportunity because it is so much easier to sit in front of the TV and be passively entertained. Yet reading allows the brain to develop, it fills in the gaps in one's education (and there are many gaps today!), it stimulates the imagination, and increases vocabulary and understanding of grammar. Indeed, research even suggests it prevents dementia.
4. Become a more interesting person to talk to.
Too much TV means that one's ability to converse on varied and interesting subjects is pretty limited. Not everyone will be interested in what happened on Simpsons last night or the latest gossip on Brangelina! Switching off the TV forces your child to do something else, whether it is reading, calling someone, discovering news items on the net, homework or working on a hobby. In the process, your child learns things that make him more interesting to talk to.
5. Find more time to laugh and have fun.
Whatever happened to games?! Kids still love to play board games with their parents, wrestle on the carpet, have tickle fests, play horsy or have Wii game challenges. Parents have a chance to get back in touch with their inner child and remind their kids that they are more than disciplinarians. Here is a chance to show kids that you love being with them!
6. Set up a healthy routine that children will follow for life.
People are creatures of habit. Set up a child to get used to only watching TV at set times and the chances are good that he will continue that habit in adulthood. For instance, as a child, I was not allowed to watch TV until 5pm on weekends; instead, we went out swimming or picnicking or for a walk. To this day, I get restless if we are still home at 10am on a Saturday and I can not bear to watch TV before 5pm.
7. Get fit!
Switching off the TV after school and until a set time on weekends allows children to get outside and play sports, swim or play with the neighbourhood kids. Even Wii Fit is a hell of a workout (yes, it means switching the TV on again but at least it is not passive entertainment). As long as the TV is on, the children will sit in front of it, so it is up to the parents to set limits on their watching time. For example, I allow my children 1 hour of TV after school every day (once they have done their homework). On weekends, the TV has to go off at 9am and doesn't come on again until late afternoon. I also find that my children are more likely to seek me out to join in a game when the TV is off, so I have no excuses not to get fit, either!
8. You have time to teach your values and beliefs.
Children will absorb these things from TV shows if you aren't equally vocal about your beliefs. And let's face it, the kind of values TV espouses are not the kind we want our children to follow! So find opportunities to discuss what values are important to your family and why. Set up a Code of Conduct for your family in a prominent place. Have weekly challenges to see who can demonstrate a specific value. When you are watching TV shows together, look for opportunities to challenge the values presented.
9. You have more opportunities to teach manners and social skills.
Manners are important social skills that give a child confidence as they will always know how to behave in social situations, no matter where they are or who they are talking to. This is a great advantage in our competitive modern world. A good place to start teaching manners and courtesy is at dinner. Try to sit at the table for dinner several times a week. Parents need to be observing their children's manners at all times which is difficult to do in front of the TV. Eating at the dinner table also allows parents to teach children about showing consideration for other people, the art of conversation and etiquette.
10. Most importantly, you have the chance to build strong bonds with your family.
Modern lifestyles mean you can spend the whole day without having any significant exchange with your children. TV, computers, mobiles, and games like Xbox promote a lifestyle of individual entertainment. Nowadays, a lot of kids have TVs in their rooms which further erode family interactions. Even when families come together to watch TV, its hypnotic quality means no real interactions between family members. Switching off the TV -and preferably all electronic gadgets at the same time - means rediscovering each other again. Building and maintaining family bonds are fundamental to a happy family, and this is one easy way to do so. Take the time to love and laugh, and your family will reap the benefits for a lifetime.
Here are 10 ways in which turning off the TV more often will benefit your family.
1. Rediscover the art of conversation!
Our children today aren't getting enough practice in the art of conversation - and it is an art! The ability to listen to what others have to say, respond appropriately and expressing yourself articulately, doesn't come easily to most people. The best way to give our children these skills is to give them the opportunity to practise. Ask them hypothetical questions like 'what would you do if you had a million dollars?' or 'what rules will you make when you are a mum?' (my kids love that one!). A person who is a good conversationalist has a skill which will be of great benefit to them throughout their life.
2. Become a more balanced person.
It allows you and your children time to develop other interests. TV is fun but it is as addictive as chocolate or coke. If you don't limit yourself to a set amount, you could easily find you have spent all evening - or even all day - in front of it. I know that on our family 'lazy days', when I let the kids do whatever they want, they will spend all day in front of the TV! This is time they could be discovering what talents or interests they have, reading books, playing with friends or going outside to enjoy some outdoor activities. That won't happen as long as the hypnotic presence of the TV is before them.
3. Give your children an opportunity to develop a love of reading.
This is such a great habit for children to develop but many don't ever get that opportunity because it is so much easier to sit in front of the TV and be passively entertained. Yet reading allows the brain to develop, it fills in the gaps in one's education (and there are many gaps today!), it stimulates the imagination, and increases vocabulary and understanding of grammar. Indeed, research even suggests it prevents dementia.
4. Become a more interesting person to talk to.
Too much TV means that one's ability to converse on varied and interesting subjects is pretty limited. Not everyone will be interested in what happened on Simpsons last night or the latest gossip on Brangelina! Switching off the TV forces your child to do something else, whether it is reading, calling someone, discovering news items on the net, homework or working on a hobby. In the process, your child learns things that make him more interesting to talk to.
5. Find more time to laugh and have fun.
Whatever happened to games?! Kids still love to play board games with their parents, wrestle on the carpet, have tickle fests, play horsy or have Wii game challenges. Parents have a chance to get back in touch with their inner child and remind their kids that they are more than disciplinarians. Here is a chance to show kids that you love being with them!
6. Set up a healthy routine that children will follow for life.
People are creatures of habit. Set up a child to get used to only watching TV at set times and the chances are good that he will continue that habit in adulthood. For instance, as a child, I was not allowed to watch TV until 5pm on weekends; instead, we went out swimming or picnicking or for a walk. To this day, I get restless if we are still home at 10am on a Saturday and I can not bear to watch TV before 5pm.
7. Get fit!
Switching off the TV after school and until a set time on weekends allows children to get outside and play sports, swim or play with the neighbourhood kids. Even Wii Fit is a hell of a workout (yes, it means switching the TV on again but at least it is not passive entertainment). As long as the TV is on, the children will sit in front of it, so it is up to the parents to set limits on their watching time. For example, I allow my children 1 hour of TV after school every day (once they have done their homework). On weekends, the TV has to go off at 9am and doesn't come on again until late afternoon. I also find that my children are more likely to seek me out to join in a game when the TV is off, so I have no excuses not to get fit, either!
8. You have time to teach your values and beliefs.
Children will absorb these things from TV shows if you aren't equally vocal about your beliefs. And let's face it, the kind of values TV espouses are not the kind we want our children to follow! So find opportunities to discuss what values are important to your family and why. Set up a Code of Conduct for your family in a prominent place. Have weekly challenges to see who can demonstrate a specific value. When you are watching TV shows together, look for opportunities to challenge the values presented.
9. You have more opportunities to teach manners and social skills.
Manners are important social skills that give a child confidence as they will always know how to behave in social situations, no matter where they are or who they are talking to. This is a great advantage in our competitive modern world. A good place to start teaching manners and courtesy is at dinner. Try to sit at the table for dinner several times a week. Parents need to be observing their children's manners at all times which is difficult to do in front of the TV. Eating at the dinner table also allows parents to teach children about showing consideration for other people, the art of conversation and etiquette.
10. Most importantly, you have the chance to build strong bonds with your family.
Modern lifestyles mean you can spend the whole day without having any significant exchange with your children. TV, computers, mobiles, and games like Xbox promote a lifestyle of individual entertainment. Nowadays, a lot of kids have TVs in their rooms which further erode family interactions. Even when families come together to watch TV, its hypnotic quality means no real interactions between family members. Switching off the TV -and preferably all electronic gadgets at the same time - means rediscovering each other again. Building and maintaining family bonds are fundamental to a happy family, and this is one easy way to do so. Take the time to love and laugh, and your family will reap the benefits for a lifetime.
May 2009
7 Ways to Improve your Child's Confidence and Social Skills
Research shows that children with good social skills make friends easier, do better at school and are more resilient to life’s blows.
Social skills are behaviours which help others feel comfortable with us and help us make friends. By teaching your children social skills such as manners and good eye contact, you are helping your child develop vital strategies for being successful in their relationships. Karen McIlveen, principal of The Grace Academy, says that teaching your children these skills gives them confidence and boosts their self-esteem. “When a child knows what to say and how to act in any situation, it eases their anxiety and allows them to act confidently.”
Children need to learn proper manners and social skills now more than ever. Competition for spots in colleges and good jobs is becoming tougher and those young people whose social skills are well developed and natural will stand out and have a leg up on their peers. Knowing the proper social graces allows children to feel confident and poised.
During one's teen years, it is even harder to feel sure of oneself, as teens are in that confusing position of being between childhood and adulthood. It is human nature to 'act out' when unsure of the proper behavior for any given situation. Teens need manners as social tools, to navigate their way through the differing social events they will encounter as they grow up into mature adults." After attending a Grace Academy course on social confidence in teens, Toralee, 14, said that she learned a lot of important life skills. “The course was great! I especially enjoyed learning about posture. I think any teenager in 21st century life will really enjoy it and it will be of great use to them.”
Strategies for improving your children’s social skills:
1) Model good manners and courteousness. Children will be watching their parents to see how they behave. If you are a bit unsure of what is still relevant today, look it up on the net or go to the library. Explain why manners are important.
2) Practise good manners with your children daily. Practise morning greetings, table manners, introducing friends and offering to help, etc. Some manners need to be taught through role-playing as children may not have regular opportunities to practise them, such as how to introduce mum to your teacher.
3) Make use of the television. Ask your children to evaluate the behaviour of people in shows. Are they being polite? Is that the way a kid should talk to their parent? Use the situations to get your child to think about how it could have been done differently. Get them to think about what they see instead of blindly accepting the behaviour as normal.
4) Get into the habit of sitting at the table at least 3 times a week. This allows many opportunities to practise courtesy and conversation. Even if you eat in front of the tv, make sure your children use good manners.
5) Every social situation provides a teaching opportunity. Take a few minutes to prompt your child. “There is a new kid over there. How would you start a conversation with him?”
6) Get your young teens used to shaking hands firmly, making eye contact and smiling when they meet people. This makes a positive impression on people which will help a lot when they are applying for part time jobs.
If parents are not comfortable teaching their children these skills or just don't have the time, there are now places, like Grace Academy, that teach these valuable skills.